Building block



Feb. 1, 17949. 'FHP. BAccARo BUILDING BLOCK 3 Shee cs-Sheet 1 Filed May 8, 1944 INVENTOR FRANK BACCARO H15 ATTORNEY F. P. BACCARO BUILDING BLOCK Feb. 1, 1949.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 8, 19.44

v INVENTOR FRANK R BACCARO BYM/M HIS ATTORNEY H 9 I F. P. BACC'ARO 2,460,330 BUILDING BLOCK Filed May 8, 1944' s Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR FRANK R 54 CCARO swig ' HIS ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 1, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUILDING BLOCK Frank P. Baccaro, San Francisco, Calif.

Application May 8, 1944, Serial No. 534,559 g My invention relates to building construction, and particularly to a building block of essentially hexahedral shape provided with complementary tongues and grooves upon opposite faces for effecting interlocking engagement with similar blocks placed adjacent thereto.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide a building construction in which each of a plurality of blocks is placed in interlocking engagement with other similar blocks adjacent any or all of its sides.

Another object of my invention is to provide a building block having complementary tongue and groove means positioned to interlockingly engage complementary parts of similar blocks placed in any of a plurality of positions relative to the blocks for keying the blocks together.

A further object is to provide a building block construction provided with means for eilecting interlocking engagement of adjacent blocks such as to lock the blocks against relative movement in any direction.

My invention possesses other objects and fea tures of value, some of which with the foregoing will be set forth in the following description of the invention. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said description and the drawings as I may adopt variant forms of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure is an isometric projection of a build ing block embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view of a block similar to the block shown in Figure 1, except that the relative positions of some or" the parts are trans posed.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the block shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the block, viewed from the right-hand side of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an isometric projection illustrating the assembly of a plurality of blocks, parts being broken away.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the order in which blocks are assembled in the construction illustrated in Figure 5.

Figure '7 is an isometric projection of a modifled form of building block.

Figure 8 is a fragmental elevational view showing one manner in which blocks of the form shown in Figure 7 may be assembled.

In terms of broad inclusion, the building construction of my invention comprises a plurality of blocks, each having complementary tongues and grooves on opposite faces for efiecting interlocking engagement with complementary parts of other similar blocks placed adjacent thereto, in any of a plurality of relations, for keying the blocks together and locking them 3 Claims. (Cl. 7238) against relative displacement. My invention also contemplates a block structure having opposite face portions diagonally offset with respect to each other, and having openings for receiving securing means by which the blocks may be secured to each other or to an adjacent anchorage.

In terms of greater detail, the building block of my invention comprises a body of essentially hexahedral shape designated in general by the numeral 2|. The blocks may be of any size, and of a variety of shapes. Preferably the dimensions of the block are proportioned to produce a right parallelepiped, which may be a cube, or a rectangular parallelepiped having the long dimensions of its opposing faces disposed in either a horizontal or vertical direction. The blocks may be made of any material suitable for the service for which they are intended, as for example wood, cement, plastic or metal.

In the preferred embodiment, While essentially of hexahedral form, each block is in eiTect divided into front and'back face portions 22 and 23, offset with respect to each other and to an intermediate body portion 24. The portions 22 and 23 are ofiset both in the direction from end to end and from top to bottom. The degree of ofiset is substantially equal in both directions; or, in eifect, is a diagonal offset of said portions relative to each other. Terms such as front, back, top and bottom as herein used are immaterial, except as applied in a descriptive sense to the arrangement shown in the drawings; since the blocks may be placed in various positions for assembling them into a building construction.

The face portion 22 is provided with an outwardly projecting undercut tongue 26, extending from end to end of the block, preferably substantially midway between and parallel to the upper and lower edges of the face. A groove 21 of a shape complementary to the tongue 26 is formed upon the face portion 23. The groove 27 preferably extends across the face portion 23 in a direction at right angles to the direction in which the tongue 26 crosses the face portion 22; and is ofiset from the center of the face portion 23 to a position opposite the center of the face portion 22. The tongue 26 and groove 2? are preferably of T-shape cross-section, but a clovetail or other interlockable form of tongue and groove may be substituted.

A second undercut tongue 28 extends outwardly at the bottom of the block along the full length of the intermediate body portion 24. The face portions 22 and 23 extend in opposite directions beyond the ends of the tongue 28 because of the ofiset relation of said face portions. The tongue 28, as illustrated conforms in size and shape to thetongue 26 and groove 21, so as to permit 3 either tongue of one block to interlockingly engage the groove 2'! of another block; but such conformity is not essential.

A third tongue 29 projects outwardly from an end of the interme'diatemortiori 24. "The tongue 23 has parallel sides, and is not undercut. The thickness of the tongue 29 is approximately the same as the narrow neck portion of the tongues 25 and 28. A plurality of lugs 3i arespaced along the outer face of the tongue 29.

The side opposite the tongue128ahasaigroove 32 complementary to the tongue 28, andarranged to efiect interlocking engagement with either the tongue 28 or the tongue 25 of an adjacent block. The side opposite the tongue 29 has a groov 33 similar to the groove. 32, .and also arranged to intcrlockingly engage .atongue 26 or 28 of an adjacent block. Both grooves 32 and 33 have recesses 34 in the backs thereof complementary to the lugs" 3i of. the tongue 29, and permitting either-groove 32 and 33 to interlock with the tongue 29 of an adjacent block.

Openingstt are-preferably formed through the face portions Z2.and.23.adjacent the corners thereof,-as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The openings 36 aresymmetrically positioned so that the holesof one block will register with those of other blocks placed innormal interlocking engagement therewith. The, openings provide means for applying nails or other-securing means for securing the blocks togetherorto anadjacent anchorage, such .as. a building frame.

The block-shown in Figure 2 of the drawings is designated in general by .the numeral Zia, and is thesame as the,block.2 l. shown in Figure 1, except thatthe tongues and grooves upon the face portions 22 .and.23. are transposed. That is, the tongueZSof Figure. l is transferred from the face portion. 22- to.. a corresponding position upon the iaceportion 23, where it is designated by the numeral fifia. In like. manner, the groove 21 of Figure 1 is placed in corresponding position upon face portion .22 or Figure.2,.where it is designatedby the numeral 21a. .This .transposing of the tongues and. groovesQZfi and 21 obtains in efieot right .andleft-handforms of the block which are preferably ..placed alternately in a iuiiding construction.

The -blocks. maybe assembled in interlocking engagement in various. relationships by inserting the tongues of each block into engagement with selected grooves of. adjacent..blocks. In Figure 5 of the drawingsl have. illustrated :a preferred manner: .ofcassembling .the :blocks to produce a wall construction. havingiathickness of three blocks. In. thisconstruction, blocks.2l..and .2la are,.placed alternately .in rows and tiers in the order indicated numerically in the diagram, Figure 6.

vIn the preferred arrangement, ablock 2i is first placed in .the position shown at the lower left-hand corner ofiFigure .5. A block lid is then placed in position No.2,. with its tongue 28a interlocking with .the groove '21 of the No. 1

block. .Another block. 2|.is. then placed with its tongue .26 interlockingwith the groove 27a of the No. 2 block, to completethe firstv row of. the bottom tier. .of the wall. structure. .The number of blocks in each rowmay-beincreased.or decreased .to produce. awall of desired thickness.

.A-second row of .blocksais laid in thebottom tier ,adjacent. the -first.row, with the .blocks in interlocking engagement. .Inthe. second.row,a blockzl a isplaced in position No.. 4, immediately in back of block No. 1, .with its tongue 28, engag- 4 ing the groove 33 of the No. 1 block. A block 2! is then placed in position No. 5 in back of block No. 2. The No. 5 block is moved into position by advancing the tongue 26 horizontally along the;groove2-21a of thee-No.4 block .until the ends of the face portions 22- and '23 abut against the adjacent ends of the corresponding face portions of the No. 2 block. During this movement the tongue 29 of the No. 5 block enters the groove 32 of the No. 2 block; and the complementary 'lugsJSI andrecesses 34 of said tongue and recess interengage to lock the two blocks against relative movement in a vertical direction. The interengagement of the tongue 26 and groove 21a of course prevents relative movement of the No. i-and No.5 blocksin avertical direction. A blocklia is nextwplaced in position No. 6'to complete the row, .the tongue 28 being moved downwardly. in the groove'33 of the No. 3 block coincidentallywith adownward movement of the tongue 215a into the groove 21 of the No. 5 block.

.A row of blocks is next laid in the second tier to fillthe positions Nos. 7, 8 and 9. The No. '1 block is of the form 2Ia,. and is placed with its tongue 29. seating in the top groove 32 of the No. 1 block, and with the 1ugs.3l received within the complementary recesses 34. The No.8 block is moved horizontally into position with its tongue 26 enteringthe, groove 21!]. of the No. 7 block and its-tongue-28 entering the groove.33 of the'No. 2 block. The No. 9 block is placed in position by moving-the tongue 25a downwardly along the groove 2'! of the No. 8 block until the tongue 29 and lugs 3| thereof-seat within the groove 32 and recesses respectively of the No. 3 block.

Blocks are next placed in positions Nos. 10, 11 and 12 to form a third row in the bottom tier of blocks, the blocks beinglaid in order in interlocking engagement with adjacent blocks in a manner corrcsponding'to that above described. A second row is then similarly placed in the positions Nos. 13, 14-and15 of the second tier; followed by a row placed in corresponding manner in the positions Nos; 16, 17' and 18 of a third tier.

Further rows are placed in" corresponding manner, the blocks of the successive rows being placed in the same order, and the rows being placed in successive tiers incorresponding order. The interengagement of eachtongue upon each block with a complementary. grooveupon an adjacent blockkeys each block. to the adjacent blocks and obtains an effective interlock for preventing relative movemenirof :each individual block in any direction.

The exposed surfaces may be filled, or surfaced in any way;-or, if desired, the faces which are exposed in' a completed structure may be formed without'the tongue or groove which would normally be carried thereby, so as to produce a smooth surface in the'finished construction. For some-purposes;the.tongues and. grooves on one pair of opposing facesmay be omitted where an interlockin'thethirdrdirection is not required.

For most purposes,-"thec progressive interlock obtained'between'each block and adjacentblocks in the adjacent rowsa-n'd-tiers of blocks is sufiicient to hold the blocks in assembled relation. If desired, a suitable binder, such as cement, may beapplied between; adjacent blocks to bond the same together. A watertight seal between *adjacentsurfacesmay beobtained in this Way if desired. thereby making the blocks effective in structures 'designed'to. retain or to exclude water. Securing elementsv of. anysuitable character, such as wires,.-nails,.screws or rivets,..may be applied throughllthe,registering openings 36 of adjacent blocks fo fastening the blocks together, or for sccurin 9. to a frame or other anchorage.

Various other methods may be used for assemblin-g the blocks into an interengaging relationship. For example, blocks of a single type, for example either 2| or 2 la, may be interengaged end to end and top to bottom in a structure having the thickness of one block, with the blocks of successive tiers staggered to lock the blocks against relative vertical displacement. If greater thickness is desired, one or more additional blocks may be -placed adjacent the first tiers with the tonguesjand grooves of adjacent faces in interlocking engagement. In such a structure blocks of the form having the tongues and grooves transposed with respect to the blocks of the first thickness are used for the blocks of the second thickness- Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a modified form of block'con'struction in which the face portions 22 and =-Z-3-are not offset with respect to each other, as they are in the structures illustrated in Figures 1 and 2; and the tongues and grooves carried by those face portions of the blocks of Figtires 1 and 2 are omitted. If desired the blocks may be made hollow, as shown in Figure '7. The tongues 28 and 29, and the grooves 32 and 33 are the same as the correspondingly numbered partsof the block shown in Figure 1.

The blocks of Figure '7 are preferably assembled to form a wall of single thickness as shown in Figure 8. The interengagement of the tongues and grooves of adjacent blocks is indicated in dotted lines. In the illustrated arrangement, the

blocks in successiv tiers are staggered with respect to the blocks of the adjacent tiers. Alternate blocks of each row are positioned with their tongues 29 and lugs 3| engaging the grooves 32 and recesses 34 of the block at one side thereof; and with their tongues 28 spanning the juncture of the two underlying blocks in the next lower tier, in interlocking engagement with the groove 32 of one of the underlying blocks and groove 33 of the other. The intervening blocks of each row are positioned with their tongues 28 in interlocking engagement with the grooves 33 of adjacent blocks in the row.

For example, considering the block at the center of Figure 8, the tongue 29 is positioned within the groove 32 of the block upon its left side; and its groove 33 is engaged by the tongue 28 of the block upon its right side. The tongue 28 of said centerblock is engaged partly within the groove 33 of the block at its lower left hand corner, and partly within the groove 32 of the block at its lower right hand corner. The interen-gagement of the lugs 3| and recesses 34, and of the tongues 28 with the grooves 32 and/or 33 effectually interlocks the blocks in assembled relation.

' In the arrangements illustrated in Figure 8, as in the arrangement shown in Figure 5, th blocks are progressively interlocked so that they can be disassembled only by removing them one at a time in reverse order. A filler or cement may be applied, to fill the clearance between the interlocking tongues and grooves and bond the blocks together.

: I claim:

1. Abuilding block comprising an essentially hexahedral body having tongues upon one of each pgir of opposite sidesand grooves upon the sides osit e said tongues, two of the tongues being I-sh'ap'ed and the third having lugs spaced along,

the outer edge thereof, the grooves being complementary to the T-shaped tongues and two of the grooves having recesses in the backs thereof complementary to the lugs of the third tongue whereby the tongues of one block are interchangeably engageable with grooves of another block for locking the blocks against relative movement in at least two of the directions defined by their respective lengths, widths and heights, including the directions which are normal to the surfaces on which the T-shaped tongues are positioned.

2. A building block comprising an essentially hexahedral body having front and back face portions diagonally oifset with respect to each other and to a center portion of the body intermediate the face portions, a T-shaped tongue extending in one direction across one of the faces, a groove complementary to the tongue extending across the other face at right angles to the tongue, a second T-shaped tongue upon a side of the body, a third tongue having parallel sides upon another side of the body adjacent the second T- shaped tongue, and grooves upon the sides opposite the second and third tongues having portions complementary to corresponding portions of each of said tongues whereby the grooves of one block may interchangeably engage the tongues of th adjacent blocks.

3. A building block comprising an essentially hexahedral body having front and back face portions diagonally offset with respect to each other and to a center portion of the body intermediate the face portions, a T-shaped tongue ex tending in one direction across one of the faces, a groove complementary to the tongue extending across the other face at right angles to the tongue, a second T-shaped tongue upon a side of the body, a third tongue having parallel sides and provided with lugs spaced along its outer face upon another side of the body adjacent the second T- shaped tongue, and grooves upon the sides opposite the second and third tongues shaped as the complement of the T-shaped tongues and having recesses in the back thereof complementary to the lugs upon the third tongue, the second and third tongues being interchangeably engageable with the corresponding opposing grooves of another block for locking adjacent blocks against relative movement in a direction normal to the surface on which the second T-shaped tongue is positioned.

FRANK P. BACCARO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 584,293 Quigley June 8, 1897 1,449,529 Meadors Mar. 27, 1923 1,457,437 Kelly et al. June 5, 1923 1,981,324 Peterson Nov. 20, 1934 2,023,452 Voegeli Dec. 10, 1935 2,196,937 Oslund Apr. 9, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 17,736 Great Britain 1887 862 Great Britain 1901 23,422 Great Britain 1902 210,519 Great Britain 1924 $145,704 Austria 1936 

